I've looked at it often throughout the year - but I thought as the year is drawing to an end now would be a good time to reflect on it. The Keys to Happiness (as googled in Jan 2013 ) are:
LOVE
OPTIMISM
COURAGE
A SENSE OF FREEDOM
PROACTIVITY
SECURITY
HEALTH
SPIRITUALITY
HEALTH
ALTRUISM
HUMOUR
PURPOSE
APPRECIATION
To be honest I've been meaning to google the meaning of altruism since January but have yet to do so. I'll get there before I finish this blog though.
So am I happy?? I'll have to take a closer look.
LOVE - I have love, I do love, I feel love, I love love! Tick that one off! Falling in love is amazing, staying in love is amazing, being in love is amazing. I love many people, lust a few too if I'm honest, so think I have my LOVE bases covered.
OPTIMISM - I'm the first to admit I'm a pessimist! So this will be a tough box to tick. However, I've taken some risks this year, and done some crazy shit like run out of bread, milk and loo paper! I've learned that the world just keeps on going, despite my failures and maybe the fly by the seat of your pants approach has merit. I'm constantly surprising myself with my ability to at least look at something from an optimistic approach - so I'm going to give myself a .5 for this one.
COURAGE - Hmmm - how to measure it. The most courageous thing I did this year was kill a big ass spider in front of my kids without flipping out. I stayed calm and in control and rocked the Mortein can and tissue combo. But I also had the courage to share some really personal stuff and was amazed with the positives that came out of it. So yep - I'm going to give myself that one!
A SENSE OF FREEDOM - This one gets tricky too - it's one thing to want freedom, and another to have it. The grass is always greener. I've been able to spend some time alone this year (mostly studying) but still, this is new to me. As someone who has always been petrified physically and mentally of being alone I've really come to like my own company, and the freedom that comes with being alone. But when I get freedom (in the form of aloneness) it soon turns to loneliness and I'm desperate to get back to reality. But having tasted freedom a few times this year - I can't say I haven't experienced it so I'm giving myself a .5 for this one.
PROACTIVITY - This one goes hand in hand with optimism for me. In general, I'd much rather sit around and complain and overanalyse than actually be proactive about making changes/doing things. But I have made an effort this year! I've popped so many cherries and done things I've been putting off so I'm going to give myself this one!
SECURITY - I feel secure in my relationship, and in my bricks and mortar. So I guess I can tick this one off? I'm also blessed to have some really close friends (old and new) that I can be honest with and share things with and there's a great deal of security that comes from friends who will love you no matter what!
HEALTH - I'm going OK I think - I've definitely aged this year? Does that count? But you're only as old as you feel right? And sometimes I feel young and free and 18 and even steal badges to prove it! I must admit there was a bit of awkwardness when I picked Will up from the school disco and wanted to join the Year 7 kids in their Ke$ha and Pitbull dance circle! I feel like I look old, my physical limitations from my neck surgery make me feel like a nanna too, but overall, I think I'm healthy. It's not like I drink coke or eat junk food or anything? On second thought...better make it .5.
SPIRITUALITY - I'm not catholic even though Kris and the kids are. I admire people who are passionate about their religious beliefs but at the same time I'm sceptical of them! Religion seems to be very contradictory to me but I've not researched any religion enough for my opinions to really count. When I was doing yoga I felt spiritually connected? But now I can't do it anymore so I can't claim that either? I think music is my religion...there is always an answer in a song...and if there isn't try drinking a bottle of SSB and you will definitely find the answers in song! I'm concerned that my 'spirituality' is taking me places I never thought possible but I guess that's the point...open your mind to Ke$ha and Pitbull, One Direction and Bieber and you too can join me on this magical journey. I'm giving myself this one!
ALTRUISM - Shit - still haven't googled this? I'll come back to it...
HUMOUR - I deal with many things with humour - sometimes poorly, but if how much I laugh at myself and my own jokes is anything to go by I'm giving myself a big fat tick for this one!
PURPOSE - Hmmm - another tricky one...bit deep too really. I might have another glass of wine before I tackle this one? This year I've been taking things pretty much a day at a time. I've spent a good chunk of the year overwhelmed and frazzled but I'm hanging in there and ticking off lists and boxes eventually. I'm making mental notes of what I want to change and improve next year. I guess my purpose for 2013 was just to survive really and to improve on 2012. I've had such a good year, so I'm ticking the box and claiming it. And I'm still working on a 'purpose' for 2014 - things change quickly though so I probably won't lock it in until the last minute.
APPRECIATION - I can give myself a bonus point of this one. My New Years Resolution was to ask for help when I needed it and as hard as I find it I've bloody well done it! And with asking for help comes a great deal of appreciation for the people that are providing it! I'm so grateful for Kris, the kids for understanding and appreciating how much time I needed to spend holed up in the study, my Mum and Nanna for helping with the kids, Kris' family for always being amazing with whatever we need, my sisters for listening to all my crap and laughing at (or with) me when they are probably sick of me!! But most of all, I'm grateful for friends this year! Old friends, new friends, Facebook friends, school friends, everyone that has helped me throughout the year. You all know who you are and I appreciate you all!
So it's time to tally the score...10.5/12 and I still have no fucking idea what altruism is.
Well done Miranda! It seems you are happy after all!!!
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